A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a fuel delivery system to limit acidic corrosion. An exemplary control system includes a controller, at least one monitor, an output, and a remediation system. The monitor of the control system may collect and analyze data indicative of a corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system. The output of the control system may automatically warn an operator of the fueling station of the corrosive environment so that the operator can take preventative or corrective action. The remediation system of the control system may take at least one corrective action to remediate the corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system.

A system for autonomously controlling a fluid refill station (FRS) includes a sensor that generates an input signal indicative of an amount of fluid in a tank of an autonomous truck and a central controller. The central controller monitors the amount of fluid in the tank and assigns the autonomous truck to the FRS if the amount of fluid has reached a minimum threshold value. The central controller determines an alignment of the tank of the autonomous truck with a fluid outlet of the FRS, directs the FRS to refill the tank with fluid if the tank is in alignment with the fluid outlet of the FRS, and directs the FRS to stop refilling the tank when the amount of fluid in the tank has reached a maximum threshold value. The central controller marks the FRS as non-functional based on a determination of an anomaly with the FRS.

A dispenser interface module connects with an existing main processing board of a fuel dispenser via an existing data port of the main board and via a current loop communication link connection of the main board. The dispenser interface module determines an idle condition of the dispenser from analysis of signals on the link, without disturbing the signals on the link, and only performs actions such as reboot or software update of the main board, or retrieval of data from the main board through the data port, during the idle condition. The dispenser interface module may compress data retrieved through the data port by removing previously retrieved records from the retrieved data. The dispenser interface module instructs a communication module to wirelessly transmit the compressed data to a remote server for analysis. The communication module wirelessly receives, and forwards to the dispenser interface module, reboot or update messages and instructions.

A liquid volume transfer system includes: a liquid infusion device, including a first communication module, a first controller and a first flow rate detecting module; a liquid container, including a second communication module; and an unmanned aerial vehicle, including a third communication module, a third controller and a second flow rate detecting module. The first controller obtains a remaining liquid volume value from the second communication module through the first communication module, and determines a target infused liquid volume value based on the remaining liquid volume value and a total infused liquid volume value; after completion of infusion, the total infused liquid volume value is sent to the second communication module through the first communication module; the third controller obtains the total infused liquid volume value through the third communication module, and sends the remaining liquid volume value to the second communication module through the third communication module after spraying.

A fuel filling apparatus and method for a bi-fuel vehicle using both gasoline and liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as fuel are provided to an LPG fuel tank. The fuel filling apparatus and method are capable of temporarily burning a portion of LPG fuel after collecting a fuel portion, using a gasoline fuel tank and a canister, when the internal pressure of the LPG fuel tank in the bi-fuel vehicle is equal to or greater than an LPG filling pressure of a filling gun. Additionally, the internal pressure of the LPG fuel tank is decreased to a level below the LPG filling pressure of the filling gun, thereby achieving smoother LPG fuel filling of the LPG fuel tank by the filling gun.

A portable fluid monitoring controller tester system for fluid monitoring equipment includes a control panel, electrical interfaces, and associated circuitry for simulating the fluid overfill sensors and other features of a trailer. The tester is a self-contained device that meets or exceeds various safety standards applicable to operating in an explosive environment. The tester may be powered, at least partially, by the fluid monitoring controller to which it is connected or from another power source, such as a battery. The tester has intrinsically safe outputs, and is configured to simulate different types of sensor systems found in fuel tanker trailers, including 2-Wire Optical, 5-Wire Optical, and Thermistor sensors. The tester is further configured to simulate ground circuits and the truck identification module (T.I.M.) of the fuel tanker trailer. The tester includes an enclosure that is impact and temperature resilient, and provides protection against windblown dust, rain and splashing water.

In an example, a method of supplying fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle includes supplying, via a fuel line, fuel to a fuel tank of a vehicle at an initial rate of fuel flow, which causes an electrostatic charge to accumulate on a surface of the fuel in the fuel tank. The method also includes exposing an air medium in the fuel tank to ionizing radiation to increase a level of ionization of an air medium in the fuel tank and increase a rate of dissipation of the electrostatic charge. The method includes determining the level of ionization of the air medium in the fuel tank, and determining an increased rate of fuel flow based on a difference between the determined level of ionization and a baseline level of ionization. The method further includes supplying the fuel to the fuel tank at the increased rate of fuel flow.

An image recording apparatus includes a tank, a cap, a cap detector, a notification device, and a controller. The tank is configured to store ink therein. The tank is formed with a filling port for filling ink. The cap is configured to be attached to the filling port so as to close the filling port. The cap detector is configured to detect whether the cap is attached to the filling port. The notification device is configured to output particular information. The controller is configured to control the notification device to output a warning, in response to determining based on a detection signal of the cap detector that a particular period or longer has elapsed in a state where the cap is detached from the filling port.

A method and apparatus are provided for controlling a fuel delivery system to limit acidic corrosion. An exemplary control system includes a controller, at least one monitor, an output, and a remediation system. The monitor of the control system may collect and analyze data indicative of a corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system. The output of the control system may automatically warn an operator of the fueling station of the corrosive environment so that the operator can take preventative or corrective action. The remediation system of the control system may take at least one corrective action to remediate the corrosive environment in the fuel delivery system.

The present system is directed in one embodiment to a vehicle with a cargo tank or reservoir and a pumping system, comprising a centralized controlled area network (CAN) in operative communication with a programmed computing device, e.g., a programmed logic controller (PLC) that may automate the pumping process output to automatically adjust based on demand and may further enable a pump flow rate that is infinitely adjustable to match output requirements. In other embodiments, the pump speed is no longer dependent upon engine speed or RPM. In other embodiments, the CAN may monitor for vapor at the pump inlet and automatically slow the pump speed until the vapor problem is resolved. Other embodiments may comprise the CAN integrating various vehicle and pumping systems to maximize safety and safety issue annunciations.